Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan announced today that Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 59 has finally received emergency COVID relief funding under the federal Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund.
“Like many organizations, Legion branches have been devastated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Unable to hold events or rent their facilities, the organizations have lost almost their entire revenue in 2020. I am pleased and relieved that the funding has come through,” Lukiwski said.
Branch No. 59, which serves veterans in the Moose Jaw area, received $15,605 to help them pay their bills in the face of lost revenue due to the pandemic.
“Legions, including those in Moose Jaw and area, provide vital services and support for veterans, seniors and communities, yet their contributions are often overlooked in times of crisis. I am pleased to see their efforts recognized in this way so that they can continue to deliver services after the pandemic,” Lukiwski said.
Lukiwski applauded the work of the Legion staff in making the announcement possible.
“[The] announcement is not simply a matter of federal generosity. It is the result of combined efforts of Legion representatives from local branches up to the Dominion Command level. They have worked tirelessly with elected representatives to press the federal government to recognize and support the work of Legions.”
Lukiwski said that the work of seeking support for Legions was not over.
“While I welcome this disbursement of funding, more needs to be done to support our Legions and communities that depend on them and I will be continuing to work with local Legions and the Government of Canada in 2021 in pursuit of the federal supports our veterans and communities require.”
The support fund can be used to cover a wide range of branch expenses, from wages to rent and utilities to enhanced cleaning costs.
